Should Barton Stop His Twitter Outbursts?

16 August 2011 09:40

The Football Association do not have the power to stop Joey Barton's Twitter outbursts . but they can fine him everytime he steps out of line. Whether this happens remains to be seen, but the FA traditionally views negative comments about the game in a poor light, whatever the medium. In March Carlton Cole was fined £20,000 for improper comments made on Twitter having joked about Ghanaian immigrants after England’s friendly with the Black Stars. Then-Liverpool forward Ryan Babel was fined £10,000 for a mocked-up picture of Howard Webb in a Manchester United shirt. The Magpies have tried to regulate their players’ use of Twitter. Shane Ferguson, Sammy Ameobi, Nile Ranger, Jonás Gutiérrez and Danny Simpson all have accounts with the website, allowing them to pass instant comment on any subject which takes their fancy without having to go through the club’s press office. Like Barton and former left-back José Enríque, Ranger has also used it to question the running of the club. As a response, Newcastle have told their players they are unable to discuss football matters on the website. All new contracts at St James’ Park will contain specific measures about social networking sites but Barton’s deal was signed in 2007 when Twitter usage was still in its tens of thousands. Barton only joined Twitter in May, but has nearly 400,000 followers. POLL VOTE - Should Barton continue to give the fans the "inside story" or should he shut up shop? YOU VOTE! http://www.newcastleunited-mad.co.uk/interactive/voting_polls.asp